Dry shaver



F. G. SLONEK July 21, 1953 DRY smvEg 2 Sheets-Shout" l Filed Nov 1 Q RN QM L QQN Filed NOV. 18, 1949 y 1953 I F. SLONEK 2,645,847

DRY I SHAVER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 mulun Even 25021 mt Jfoza.

Patented July 21, 1953 'DRY SHAVER Frank G. Slonek, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Hazel Cook I-Ivid, Wilmette, 111.

Application November 18, 1949, Serial No. 128,039

13 Claims.

This invention relates to dry shavers and meth ods of making the same and has particular relation to manually actuated devices of this character, as distinguished frompower-driven types.

Dry shavers as heretofore designed have been characterized by complexityof construction resulting in excessive size, weight, and cost of manufacture of the devices, cumbersomeness in the handling thereof, and difiiculty of cleaning.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a dry shaver of simplified construction and assembly which shall be economical to manufacture, light and compact, and efficient in use.

A further object is to provide a device of the character indicated which is easy to use and suitable for carrying about in the users pocket or other convenient manner and which is characterized by efliciency of operation and ease of cleaning.

A more specific object is to provide a device of the above-indicated character including a blade carrier of improved design.

A further object of the invention is to provide a cutter tube of improved design for a device of the above-indicated character and an improved method of making the same.

In carrying out the invention in one form, a blade carrier of substantially C-shaped cross section is provided and carries two blades respectively extending along the edges of the gap therein. A cutter tube surrounds the blade carrier and blade unit or assembly and is provided with perforations through its wall forming cutting edges at its internal surface for shearing coaction with the blades. A tubular handle mem'-' ber fits inside of the blade carrier and projects from one end thereof, and means are provided on said handle member for preventing relative axial displacement of the blade carrier and cut-- ter tube. A pocket clip is'secured on the handle member adjacent the projecting end thereof and is held in fixed angular position in the assembled device to indicate the angular location of the blades which are enclosed within the cutter tube. The perforations through the wall of the cutter tube extend generally longitudinally of the tube and have their side walls inclined at acute angles with respect to the internal surface of the tube so that cutting edges of acute angular cross section are provided for shearing ccaction with the blades carried by the blade carrier.

The invention, including various possible modifications thereof, will be better understood; and

other objects and advantages thereof will ap-' 2 pear, from a consideration of the following de tailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which l Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a preferred form of the invention, showing the same in approximately twice its preferred size;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view taken along the line 2-2of Fig. 1; I

Figs. 3, f1, 5, and 6 are transverse sectional views taken on the lines 3-3, 4-4, 55, and 66, respectively, of Fig. 1 but enlarged still further;

Fig. 7 is a side elevational view, on a smaller scale, showing a handle member constituting one of the elements of the construction illustrated in Figs. 1-6, inclusive; 7 Fig. -8 is a side elevational view, on a scale similar to that of Fig. 1, illustratinga modified form of construction including an extensible handle member shown in full lines'in its retracted position and in dotted lines in its extended posiion; I

Fig. 9 is a longitudinal'sectional view taken along the line 9-9 of Fig. 8;

I Figs. 10 and 11 are transverse sectional views taken on the lines [0-10 and Isl-l I, respectively, of Fig. 8 and enlarged to a scale similar to that of Figs. 3-6, inclusive; Fig. 12 is a fragmentary transverse sectional view, on a greatly enlarged scale, of a cutter tube constituted an element of each of the constructions illustrated by the preceding figures;

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary transverse sectional 'view, on the same scale as- Fig 12,{of a partially formed blank from which the cutter-tube is formed; and

Fig. 14 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a modified form of cutter tube.

Referring first to Figs. 1 to 7, inclusive, of the drawings, the shaver illustratedtherein comprises an elongated, rigid blade carrier-2l of substantially C-shaped cross section carrying blades 22,; 22 secured to and extending along the respective edges of the gap therein. The blades 22 are referably similar in material and characteristics to" safety razor blades of good quality. Thepunit or assembly consisting of the blade carrier and .blades is mounted upon the left-hand end of a Fig. 2, this mea I Figi'l. The left-'1 hand extremity'of the member 23 is'formed, as"

tubular member 23, as viewed in her being shown separately'in by spinning, rolling, or other suitable process, wlth a bead or flange 2311 which serves as an abutment for the left-handend of theblade carrier and blade unit or assembly, which is mounted on the member 23 by pushing it on from the right-hand extremity thereof. The blade carrier 2| is formed with slots 2Ia extending inwardly from each end thereof a sufiicient distance to embrace a protuberance 23b formed in the wall of the handle member 23 near the left-hand extremity thereof, whereby relative rotation be-.

tween the blade carrier 2| and the handle member 23 is prevented in the assembled condition of the parts, regardless of the endwise relationship of these members.

A perforated cutter tube 24 is provided for shearing coaction with the blades 22. This tube is of substantially cylindrical form and is of sufhcient internal diameter to surround the blade carrier and blade unit or assembly in freely rotatable relation thereto. The left-hand end of the tube 24 as viewed in Figs. 1 and 2 is disposed adjacent the inside surface of the flange or bead 23a of the handle member 23 whereby an end stop for this end of the tube is provided.

A sleeve member 25 fits over the projecting right-hand end of the handle member 23 and is formed at its left-hand extremity with a suitably formed bead or flange 25a which provides an abutment for the right-hand end of the blade carrier 2| and also an end stop for the right hand end of the cutter tube 24. The cutter tube is slightly shorter than the blade carrier to prevent binding between the ends thereof and the end stops 23a and 25a therefor which abut against the respective ends of the blade carrier. The cutter tube 24 is thus maintained against axial displacement with respect to the blade carrier and blade unit but is freely rotatable with respect thereto.

Extending longitudinally inwardly from the right-hand extremity of the handle member 23 is a slot 230, and branching off from one side thereof is an inclined transverse slot 23d of the bayonet type. The sleeve member 25 is formed near its right-hand extremity with an inwardly-projecting dimple or protuberance 25b (Fig. 4) which fits into the slot 230 and prevents relative rotation between the members 23 and 25 in the assembled device. The relative lengths of the parts are such that when assembled the right-hand end portion of the handle member 23 projects a short distance beyond the end of the sleeve member 25. v

A pocket clip 26 is formed with an annular supporting portion 26a fitting over this projecting end ortion of the member 23. A projecting portion 26b of the annular part 2611 extends into the opening therein and is adapted to fit into the slot 230 in the end of the member 23 (Fig. 5) to prevent rotation of the clip member with respect to the handle member when the parts are assembled. The projection 26a is so positioned with respect to the clip member 26, and the other parts of the assembly are so related, that when all of the parts are assembled the clip member 26' is-in longitudinal alignment with the center line betweenthe blades 22, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. Thus the clip serves to indicate the angular position of the blades in the assembleddevice.

The parts are held in assembly by an end cap 21 which fits over the projecting end portion of the member 23 beyond the supporting portion 260. of the clip 26, and is formed with an inwardly projecting dimple or protuberance 21a adapted to enter the outer end portion of the slot 230 in the right-hand end of the member 23' and then to be rotated into the inclined transverse slot 23d which branches off from one side of the slot 23c. The cap 21 is thus locked in position on the end of the member 23 by an initial axial movement telescoping it thereover, followed by a rotary movement to effect a bayonet type of joint securely clamping all of the parts of the assembly together. The blade carrier 2| is then securely clamped between the abutments formed by the flanges or beads 23a and 25a at the left-hand ends of the members 23 and 25, respectively, and the supporting portion 26a of the clip 26 is clamped between the right-hand end of the member 25 and the cap member 21. With this construction the parts may, of course, be readily assembled and disassembled at will.

The exposed end of the cap member 2! is open, as illustrated in Fig. 2, and the tubular member 23 is open throughout its length and at both ends, likewise as illustrated in Fig. 2. Thus the entire assembly is tubular and open from end to end, for a purpose to be described.

The cutter tube 24 is preferably made of hardened steel such as stainless steel and has a wall thickness of three or four thousandths of an inch or even less. The tube is provided with perforations through its wall to form cutting edges for shearing coaction with the cutting edges of the blades 22. These perforations are preferably disposed in a plurality of annular series 24a, 24b, etc., as best shown in Fig. 1. Each perforation is in the form of an elongated slot, the slots extending generally longitudinally of the tube and being spaced quite closely together to provide a suitable number of cutting edges at the internal surface of the tube. Rather than extending in actual parallelism with the axis of the tube, however, the slots are preferably inclined to a relatively slight extent so that they conform approximately to steep spirals around the tube, and the perforations of alternate series are preferably inclined in opposite directions so that those of one series, for example, may correspond to righthand spirals and those of the next adj acent series on either side correspond to left-hand spirals.

It will be understood, of course, that the shaving action of the device is accomplished by shearing coaction between the blades 22 and the cutting edges formed at the internal surface of the tube 24 by the intersection therewith of the perforations 24a, 24b, etc. This action is accomplished in the rotation of the tube 24 with respect to the blades 22 and the other parts of the assembly, which rotation is achieved by frictional engagement of the outside of the tube 24 with the surface being shavedj Such rotation is effected very readily because of the freely rotatable support of the tube on the internal blades and associated parts. In the shaving operation the tube rides freely over the edges of the blades 22 and produces a close shaving action because of the extreme thinness of the wall of the tube 24. The perforations through the tube wall-are of such size and spacing that the bristles to be shaved extend readily therethrough and are sheared off at the coacting cutting edges referred the device on itsend or by blowing through the central openingtherein. The assembled devicev is thus very readily kept clean and free of any obstructions which might interfere with the shaving action.

In the use of the shaver the projecting handle portion consisting of the telescoped tubular members 23 and 25 is held in the hand and the blades 22 are brought to the proper angular position as indicated by the position of the clip 28. The tube 24 is moved in either or both directions more or less perpendicular to the axis thereof over the surface to be shaved, and either or both of the blades 22 function accordingly toaccomplish the desired shaving action. The inclination of the slots 24a, 2%, etc., in the tube 24, and particularly the opposite inclinations of alternate annular series of these slots, contribute to the securing of a highly efiicient shearing'coaction with each of the blades 22. The movements of the tube 24 over the cutting edges of the blades 22 accomplish a self-honing action whereby said blade edges are kept sharp and true over long periods ofuse.

The cutter tube 24 s referably formed to the cross-sectional conilgu tion illustrated on a greatly enlarged scale in Fig. 12, from which it will be seen that the opposite side Walls of each perforation, such as that indicated at 24c, are inclined. in an outwardly divergent manner so that cutting edges 24c, 24d, etc., of acute angular cross section are provided at the intersection of each of these side walls with the internal surface of the tube. The cutting edges thus formed are particularly effective in coasting with the cutting edges of the blades 22.

In order to form the perforations in the tube with the side walls thereof inclined in this main her, a blank 28 of heavy'material, as illustrated. fragmentarily in 18 on a scale similar to that of Fig. 12, is preferably used. This blank is in cylindrical form with its outside diameter corresponding approximately to the desired outside diameter of the finished tube. The blank may be made of either round rod or tubular stock, but in the latter event a thick-walled tubing is used to impart substantial rigidity tothe blank. In the forming or" the blank the exterior thereof is indented as by knurling, punching, orother suitable operation to provide depressions corresponding in size andspacing to the desired arrangement of perforations in the finished tube. In each of these indentations or depressions, such as 28a, the opposite sidev walls, such as 280 and 2861!, are oppositely inclined and outwardly divergent so that the cross-sectional shape of the complete indentation may, for example, be substantially triangular, approximately as illustrated.

The internal material of the blank, whether solid or tubular, is then removed by boring and grinding or other suitable operations to form the desired inside diameter of the finished'tube, and the external surface of the tube is preferably also brought to finished size by a light grinding operation. It Will be understood, of course, that the indenting and boring operations, for example, may be performed on theblank while it is in an annealed or other readily workable state, and that the material may be suitably hardened and heat treated after completion of these preliminary operations and before the final sizing by grinding or other operation.

The internal surface of the tube may, if desired, be given its final finish by a lapping operation utilizing a cylindrical lapping tool slightly smaller in diameter than the inside diameter of the tube and using a very fine pumice or other suitable lapping material to impart complete smoothness to the inside of the tube and to remove all burrs from the cutting edges thereon, etc.

Referring now to Figs. 8, 9, 10, and 11 of the drawings, a construction is there illustrated in which several possible modifications are embodied. The internal blade carrier and blade assembly or unit in this construction, although of' A tubular handle member 32 fits inside of ,the' blade and carrier member 3!, and is secured against rotation and axial displacement relative thereto by means of a coacting opening Zilc in the member 3| and-proturberance32d on the-mem ber 32. The member 32 is preferably formed of rolled sheet material with a slight gap 3% and a wider cut-away opening 320 therein having the same longitudinal center line as the space between the. blade edges 3m and 3|b to serve as an indicatorof the angular location of the blade edges.

A handle extension member 33 ,fitstelescopically and in frictional sliding engagement inside the member 32 and has secured to itsright-hand extremity a hollow flangedend'piece 33a which.

may be grasped manually to actuate the mem ber 32 between its retracted and extended positions illustrated in full lines and dotted lines, re-

spectively, in Fig. 8. The maximum extension of the member 33 is limited by abutment portions 33b at the left-hand extremity thereof, which are turned outwardly after the members 32 and 33 are telescopically assembled, to engage the end wall of a cut-away opening 32d which is provided in the wall of the member 32 in register with the space between the blade portions 3m and Bib similarly to the provision of the opening 236 in the member 23 of the construction previously described. Theabutment portions 331) are also effective to prevent relative rotation between the members 32 and 33 by reason of the angular spacing ofthe remote radial edges of said abutment portions being nearly the same as the angular dimension of the opening 32d, as best shown in Fig. 10.

A cutter tube 34, which may be of the same construction as the tube 24 of the construction previously described, is mounted on the blade unit 3| in freely rotatable relation theretoto coact with the blade portions 3i a and 3Ib thereof in the same manner as described before. Relative axial displacement between the blade unit 3| and the tube 34 is prevented bysnap rings 35, 35 seated in annular slots or grooves in the member 3| near the respective ends thereof and'having hooked extremities 35a'seated in suitably positioned notches in the same member.

The operation of the device constituting this modification of the construction is the same as that described with reference to the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 to "7, inclusive, it being noted that the modified construction likewise has a tubular opening which is open at both ends and throughout its length for purposes of cleaning. The provision of a telescoping handle extension member achieves further compactness of design by permitting the over-all length to be reduced when the device is not in use, or even while in use if for any reason a handle of shorter length is desired.

Fig. 14 illustrates a modified form of cutter tube 44 including annular series of perforations a, b, etc., which are all inclined in the same direction. In other respects the construction is the same as in the case of the tubes 24 and 34 previously shown and described.

While only certain embodiments of the invention have been shown and described herein, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications in the details of design and arrangement of parts may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed as new and is desired to be secured by Letters Patent, therefore, is:

1. A dry shaver comprising a blade carrier of substantially C-shaped cross section having an entirely clear hollow interior space of a diameter equal to a major part of the outside diameter of said carrier, a blade unitarily associated with and carried by said carrier independently of other support and extending along one edge of the gap therein, a cutter tube surrounding said carrier and blade and supported by said carrier in freely rotatable relation thereto, said tube having perforations through its wall formin cutting edges at its internal surface for shearing coaction with said blade, means for securing said carrier and tube against relative axial displacement, and handle means secured to said carrier for effecting shaving movements thereof while permitting said free relative rotation of said cutter tube.

2. A dry shaver comprising a blade carrier of substantially C-shaped cross section having an entirely clear hollow interior space of a diameter equal to a major part of the outside diameter of said carrier, a blade unitarily associated with and carried by said carrier independently of other support and extending along one edge of the gap therein, a cutter tube surrounding said carrier and blade and supported by said carrier in freely rotatable relation thereto, said tube having perforations through its wall forming cutting edges at its internal surface for shearing coaction with said blade, means for securing said carrier and tube against relative axial displacement, and handle means secured to said carrier for effecting shaving movements thereof while permitting said free relative rotation of said cutter tube, said handle means comprising a tubular member fitting inside of said carrier and projecting from one end thereof.

3. A dry shaver comprising a blade carrier of substantially C-shaped cross section, a blade carried by said carrier and extending along one edge of the gap therein, a cutter tube surrounding said carrier and blade and supported by said carrier in freely rotatable relation thereto, said tube having perforations through its wall forming cutting edges at its internal surface for shearing coaction with said blade,-means for securing said carrier and tube against relative axial displacement, and handle means secured to said carrier for effecting shaving movements thereof while permitting said free relative rotation of said cutter tube, said handle means comprising a tubular member fitting inside of said carrier and projecting from one end thereof and having an opening through the wall thereof substantially in register with the gap in said carrier when the latter is operatively mounted thereon.

4. A dry shaver comprising a blade carrier of substantially C-shaped cross section, a blade carried by said carrier and extending along one edge of the gap therein, a cutter tube surroundingsaid carrier and blade and supported by said carrier in freely rotatable relation thereto, said tube having perforations through its wall forming cutting edges at its internal surface for shearing coaction with said blade, means for securing said carrier and tube against relative axial displacement. and handle means secured to said carrier for effecting shaving movements thereof while permitting said free relative rotation of said cutter tube, said handle means comprising a tubular member fitting inside of said carrier and projecting from one end thereof, said tubular member being open at both ends and throughout its length and having an openingthrough the wall thereof substantially in register with the gap in said carrier when the latter is operatively mounted thereon.

5. A dry shaver comprising a blade carrier of substantially C-shaped cross section, a blade carried by said carrier and extending along one edge of the gap therein, a cutter tube surrounding said carrier and blade and supported by said carrier in freely rotatable relation thereto, said tube having perforations through its wall forming cutting edges at its internal surface for shearing coaction with said blade, means for securing said carrier and tube against relative axial displacement, handle means secured to said carrier for effecting shaving movements thereof while permitting said free relative rotation of said cutter tube, said handle means comprisinga tubular member fitting inside of said carrier and projecting from one end thereof and having a radially projecting portion forming an abutment for the other end of said carrier and an end stop for the corresponding end of said tube, and a sleeve member fitting telescopically over the projecting portion of said tubular member with one end thereof forming an abutment for the first-mentioned end of said carrier and an end stop for the adjacent end of said tube, said carrier being longer than said tube to prevent binding between the ends of the latter and said end stops therefor.

6. A dry shaver comprising a blade carrier of substantially C-shaped cross section, a blade carried by said carrier and extending along one edge of the gap therein, a cutter tube surrounding said carrier and blade and supported by said carrier in freely rotatable relation thereto, said tube having perforations through its wall forming cutting edges at its internal surface for shearing coaction with said blade, means for securing said carrier and tube against relative axial displacement, handle means secured to said carrier for effecting shaving movements thereof while permitting said free relative rotation of said cutter tube, said handle means comprising a tubular member fitting inside of said carrier and projecting from one end thereof and having a radially projecting portion forming an abutment for the other end of said carrier and an end stop for the corresponding end of said tube, a sleeve member fittin telescopically over the projecting portion of said tubular member with one end thereof forming an abutment for the first-mentioned end of said carrier and an end stop for the adjacent end of said tube, said carrier being longer than said tube to prevent binding between the ends of the latter and said end stops therefor, and means for securing said sleeve member against axial displacement relative to said tubular member and thereby clamping said carrier between said abutments.

7. A dry shaver comprising a blade carrier of substantially C-shaped cross section, a blade carried by said carrier and extending along one edge of the gap therein, a cutter tube surrounding said carrier and blade and supported by said carrier in freely rotatable relation thereto, said tube having perforations through its wall forming cutting edges at its internal surface for shearing coaction with said blade, means for securing said carrier and tube against relative axial displacement, handle means secured to said carrier for effecting shaving movements thereof while permitting said free relative rotation of said cutter tube, said handle means comprising a tubular member fitting inside of said carrier and projecting from one end thereof and having a radially projecting portion forming an abutment for the other end of said carrier and an end stop for the corresponding end of said tube, a sleeve member fitting telescopically over the projecting portion of said tubular member with one end thereof forming an abutment for the first-mentioned end of said carrier and an end stop for the adjacent end of said tube, said carrier being longer than said tube to prevent binding between the .ends of the latter and said end stops therefor,

and an indicating member secured in predetermined angular relation to said tubular member and extending along the outer surface of said sleeve member to indicate the angular location of said blade.

8. A dry shaver comprisin a blade carrier of substantially C-shaped cross section having an entirely clear hollow interior space of a diameter equal to a major part of the outside diameter of said carrier, a pair of opposed blades unitarily associated with and carried by said carrier independently of other support and respectively extending along the edges of the gap therein, a

cutter tube surrounding said carrier and blades and supported by said carrier in freely rotatable relation thereto, said tube having perforations through its wall forming cutting edges at its internal surface for shearing coaction with said blades, means for securing said carrier and tube against relative axial displacement, and handle means secured to said carrier for effecting shaving movements thereof while permitting said free relative rotation of said cutter tube.

9. A cutter tube for a dry shaver comprising a thin-walled, cylindrical metal tube having a plurality of series of perforations through its wall, each of said series being disposed annularly around said tube and spaced longitudinally of said tube from the other series, each of said perforations being elongated in a. direction approximating a steep spiral around said tube, the performations of alternate series corresponding to cylindrical spirals of one hand and those of the other alternate series corresponding to cylindrical spirals of the opposite hand, the opposite elongated side walls of each of said perforations diverging outwardly to form a cutting edge of acute angular cross section at the intersection of each of said side walls with the internal surface or said tube.

10. A dry shaver comprising a pair of concentric telescoped members of different axial length defining a hollow handle and terminating in outwardly directed annular flanges axially spaced along the length of the longer of said members, a pair of blades fixedly mounted on the longer of said members between said flanges, and a comb rotatably journaled between said flanges to surround said blades, said comb and said blades cooperating upon rotation of said comb to provide a shearing relationship.

11. A dry shaver comprising an elongated tubular outer casing terminating in an outwardly directed flange, providing a folded smooth peripheral edge, a concentric tubular body telescoped within said casing and extending axially therebeyond, said body also terminating in an outwardly directed flange providing a folded smooth peripheral edge for axial spacing from the flange of said casing, a blade carried by said body and having a cutting edge extending axially thereof and projecting radially therebeyond between said flanges, and a tubular comb journaled between said flanges for rotation about the axis of said body and upon rotation cooperating with said blade to provide a shearing action for severing whiskers interposed therebetween.

12. A dry shaver comprising a hollow.elongated handle having an axially extending slot, a blade holder surrounding a portion of said handle and having an elongated. slot registering with said axially extending slot, a blade fixedly secured to said blade holder and having a sharpened cutting edge overlying said slots, and a rotatable comb carried by said handle to enclose said blade holder and to overlie said registering slots, said comb and the sharpened edge of said blade cooperating upon rotation of the comb to define shearing relationship. 2

13. A dry shaver comprising a tubular body member having a radial flange at one end and a bayonet slot at the other end, a blade holder telescopically received about said member for abutting said flange, a pair of blades carried by said holder and projecting therebeyond, an apertured cylindrical combsurrounding said blades and rotatable thereabout to define therewith a shearing relationship, an outer tubular casing telescopically received about said member and having a terminal radial flange for abutting said holder,'and a cap for enclosing the slotted end of said body member to act against the corresponding end of said casing and having an inwardly extending projection enterable into said bayonet slot with a resulting camming action urging the flange of said casing into tight engagement with said -holder, thereby confining said holder between said body member and said casing.

FRANK G. SLONEK.

References Cited in the file of this atent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,757,978 Schick May 13, 1930 2,182,066 Bruecker Dec. 5, 1939 2,284,038 Bruecker May 26, 1942 2,335,288 Lundquist ,Nov. 30, 1942 2,331,646 Arey Oct. 12, 1943 2,354,657 Arey Aug. 1,1944 

